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King salmon, also known as Chinook salmon, spawn along hundreds of miles of rivers and streams in Alaska. With so many choices on where to go, hiring a fishing guide to take you to the hot spots gives you a way to focus on fishing rather than logistics. If you're lucky, you'll catch a king that weighs between 40 and 80 pounds although smaller kings are more common.

Locations

A number of Alaskan rivers host big populations of spawning kings, including the Kenai, Kasilof, Cooper, Nushagak and Stikina. You'll also find Cook Inlet, Kodiak Island and Seward offer good saltwater fishing for the big salmon. The best-tasting king salmon is found in the saltwater or near the mouths of freshwater rivers as they begin their swim upstream to spawn.

Season

King salmon fishing season starts in May and continues into September, although the timing varies according to the river. Along the Kasilof River, the first run of king salmon starts in late May and continues through mid-June. The Kenai River gets its first run of kings from about mid-June through the end of the month, with a second run of kings coming through in July.

Day Guides

Many guides offer daily fishing trips, allowing you to make your own arrangements for accommodations and meals. Alaska River Adventures (alaskariveradventures.com) offers king salmon fishing via drift boats and bank fishing along the Kenai Peninsula. Trips last all day, giving you seven to eight hours on the water. Alaska Clearwater Sportfishing (alaskaclearwater.com) also offers day trips along the Kasilof or Kenai Rivers. The company offers either drift or power boats to take you to the hot spots, depending on what's allowed on the river.

Resorts Guides

Some fishing guides offer overnight stays and packages at lodges or resorts. Kodiak Island Resort (kodiakresort.com) offers a deluxe fishing lodge for up to 12 guests spread out over six private suites. Once you arrive via float plane, you'll enjoy rooms with views of the bay, homemade cooking with lots of seafood and a covered veranda for watching the area's wildlife. Days are spent fishing for king salmon with knowledgeable guides who take you to the best locations via motor boat.

Necessities

Most guides provide all the fishing gear you'll need to catch a big one. You also need an Alaska state fishing license, obtainable online before you reach your destination or at sporting goods stores across the state. As of March 2011, licenses range in price from $24 per year for residents to $20 for a one-day license if you live outside of Alaska. You also need a king salmon tag that costs $10 for one day for nonresidents or $10 annually for residents.

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About the Author

Nancy Wagner is a marketing strategist and speaker who started writing in 1998. She writes business plans for startups and established companies and teaches marketing and promotional tactics at local workshops. Wagner's business and marketing articles have appeared in "Home Business Journal," "Nation’s Business," "Emerging Business" and "The Mortgage Press," among others. She holds a B.S. from Eastern Illinois University.